Schooners in the Solent off Egypt Point, 19th Century

oil, 10"x12"

$6,500

The Solent, the narrow strait which separates the Isle of Wight from the English mainland, runs 15 miles East from the distinctive Chalk Cliffs off the Needles at the Western most point of the Island. It has been the scene of great naval battles, commercial shipping, and yacht racing since early times. In this 19th century scene, Thompson depicts two large topsail schooners moving through the strait off Egypt Point, the island’s closest point to the mainland.